Head casing for venetian blinds



Nov. 5, 1940. w. J. STUBER 2,220,796

HEAD CASING FOR VENETIAN BLINDS Original Filed March 6, 1940 Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED, STATES nEAo CASING Foa VENETIANVBLINDS I Walter J. Stuber, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to' Carey-McFall Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application March 6, 194i), Serial No. 322,604. Divided and this application June 25;

' 1940, Serial No. 342,344

14 Claims. (01. 156-17) This invention relates to Venetian blinds and especially to the head casing disclosed in the copending application, Serial No. 322,604 flled March 6, 1940, of which the present application is a division.

The object of the present invention is to provide a head casing of artistic appearance and simple rugged construction involving a minimum number of parts including a head rail of peculiar construction which forms the bottom and back of the casing and supports the operating mechanisms of the blind; a pair of brackets for removably supporting the head rail to provide for complete removal of the head rail therefrom and which constitute the end closure plates for the casing; and removable top plate and front plates which complete the casing and afford ready ac cessibility to the operating mechanisms without removal of the head rail from its supporting brackets.

The construction 'of the head casing will be fully disclosed hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawing. of which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the end brackets; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the top plate.

As shown in Fig. l, the blind comprises a head casing A which completely encloses all the operating parts of the blind. The head casing A is composed of a pair of end brackets I, I, respectively, one left hand and one right hand, of which the left hand bracket is shown in Fig. 4.

Each of the end brackets is stamped from a single piece of sheet metal to produce an end closure plate 2, a back flange 3, a bottom flange 4, a top flange 5, and a front flange 6.

The top flange 5 and front flange 6 are separated. by a slot 1 and the lower portion of the front flange 6 is cut away, as indicated at 8, for purposes hereinafter set forth.

The top flange 5 terminates short of the back flange 3 which latter is provided with a forwardly projecting portion 5a which lies in the same plane as and forms a continuation of the top flange 5 with a slot la formed between the two. The forward edge of the flange portion 5a is bent downwardly to form a lip, as indicated at 9, for securing the upper edge of the head rail ID in place in the brackets I, 1 respectively.

As most clearly shown in Fig. 2, the head rail plan view I ets' I, I respectively and yet be readily swung i0 is of an angular cross-sectional construction and comprises a vertical back flange or plate ll and a horizontal bottom flange or plate l2, with a .horizontal forwardly inturned flange l3 along the upper edge of the vertical back plate II and a vertically inturned flange it along the front .edge of the bottom plate l2.

As shown in Fig. 2, the -back plate ll lies flatly agaLnst the inside surfaces of the back flanges 3, 3 of the end brackets I respectively, with the edge flange I3 lying under the flange portion 5a of each end bracket between the depending lip 9 and the back flange 3, whereby flexing of the back plate H forwardly at its top edge is prevented and a rigid structure is produced.

The bottom plate I? of the head rail It] lies flatly on the top surfaces of the bottom flanges 4, 4 of the end brackets l, I, respectively, and is held in this position by the weight of the blind suspended from the tilting mechanism which is carried on the upper surface of the bottom plate 12 of the head rail Ill.

plate and prevents itsflexing or bowing intermediate its ends under the weight of the blind 30 which is carried exclusively by the head rail; and the flange l3 on the upper edge of the be ck plate H, in a like manner, rigidifies the-back plate ii and prevents it from bowing intermediate its ends under strains transmitted thereto from and by the bottom plate I2.

By reason of the above noted construction 01' the head rail, it may be made of light weight thin gage metal at correspondingly low cost by automatic machines at low manufacturing cost. In a like manner the end brackets, top plate and front plate of the head casing may be constructed of similar metal under similar manufacturing processes and at similar low cost.

The front plate i5 is constructed and associated in such a manner with respect to the end brackets, the top plate and the bottom plate that it will maintain a firm position normally in contact with the front flanges 6, 6, of the end brackout of position or totally removed to inspect the working parts of the blind carried by the head rail, but in such a manner that it cannot be accidentally dislodged. Toward these ends the upper edge of the front plate I5 is provided with a double hook flange I3 comprising a backwardly and downwardly extending portion I'I arranged in downwardly divergent relationship to the upper marginal portion l8 of the front plate l5, and an upward rearwardly extending portion I9 arranged in upwardly divergent relationship! to the portion I9. The double hook flange I8 passes into the slots I, I in the end brackets I, I, re-

spectively with the bend 20 at the intersection of the parts I8 and I9 hanging on the upper edges 2| of the front flanges of the endbrackets I, I respectively and acting as a hinge for the front plate.

The pivot 20 of the front plate lies behind the plane of the front plate I5, thereby throwing the center of gravity of the front plate outwardly in front of the pivot 20 and resulting in the weight of the plate I5 itself causing said plate to make flrm contact with the front flanges 6, 6 of the end brackets I, I respectively, thus avoiding objectionable loose swinging motion of the front plate.

Should the front plate I 5 be accidentally raised in its own plane or at any angle less than the approximate 90 angle shown between the broken line and full line positions of the front plate I5 as shown in Fig. 3, the upturned rearwardly divergent edge portion l9 of the front plate I5 will engage behind the lower or front edges 22, 22 of the top flanges 5, 5 respectively of the two end brackets and prevent dislodgement of the front plate I5 from the end brackets I, I.

In order to remove and replace the front plate I5 it must be moved to a position approximatin that shown in broken lines in Fig. 2,- with respect to the end brackets I, I, whereby the hook edge I9 can slip through the slots I, I. In replacing the front plate, after the upturned edge I9 is past the edges 22, 22 of the end bracket slots 1, I the front plate may be swung downwardly to slide the hook portion II of the front plate through said slots until the pivot bend 20 sets on the edges 2|, 2| of the slots I, I, after which the end plate, if released will assume its normal position in contact with the front flanges 6, 6 of the end brackets as a result of the relationship between the pivot 20 and the center of gravity of the front plate I5.

The top plate 25 of the head casing A, like the front plate I5, is composed of light weight metal and is provided with a downward rearwardly extending front flange, 26 which hooks into the slots I, I, of the end brackets I, I respectively; and with a rear downwardly extending perpendicular flange 2'I- which projects through the slots Ia, Ia, in said brackets. With this arrangement the top plate is prevented from moving laterally and by reason of the ends 28, 28 of the flanges 26 and 21 engaging the inner faces of the end plates 2, 2 of the and brackets I, I, the top plate 25 is held against longitudinal displacement.

Vertical displacement of the top plate 25 may be prevented by any suitable means, for example, as shown in Fig. 5, by slitting the plate inwardly from one end thereof as at 29, 29 and depressing the intervening portion 30 to provide a tongue adapted to slip under the top flange 5 of one of the end brackets. The opposite end of the plate 25 may be provided with a similar tongue or it or both ends may be provided with a slot or opening 3I for passage of a screw 32, see Figs. 1 and 5, tapped into an opening 33 formed in the top flange 5 of the end bracket.

Normally the head rail may be removed from the end brackets by pulling the bottom plate forward, whereupon the forward edge of the flange IS on the top of the back plate II bears against the rear face of the lips 9, 3 on the end brackets and acts as a fulcrum for the whole of the head rail III, causing the front edgeof the bottom plate I2 to rise, while the rear edge of said plate, where it joins at 34 with the lower edge of the back plate II, slides along the bottom flanges 4, 4 of the end brackets until the flange I3 clears the lower ends of the lips 9, 9,

whereupon the head rail may be moved bodily,

forward and turned about its longitudinal axis in moving the ends of the bottom and back plates II and I2 outward through the cut-outs 8, 8 in the front flanges 8, 6 of the two end brackets I, I respectively.

In order to prevent accidental forward movement of the head rail I I! along the bottom flanges 4, 4 of the end brackets I, I, catches 35 are pivotally connected at 31 to and adjacent the opposite ends of the bottom plate I2 of the head rail I 0, with the outer edges 39 of the latches 35 adapted to be swung into position behind the front flanges 6, 6 of'the end. brackets I, I, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 respectively, lugs 4| being provided and projecting upwardly from the latches 35 for manually operating said latches into and out of locking position with respect to said flanges.

The bottom plate l2 of the head rail I0 is provided with suitable openings for the passage of the ladder tapes 43 and of the blind 45; the gilting cord or chain 46; and the elevating cords The tilting, elevating and cord locking mechanisms are fully disclosed in the aforesaid copending application and for that reason are not shown in the present case.

I claim:

1. A head casing for Venetian blinds, comprising a removablehead rail of L-shaped crosssection constituting bottom and back plates respectively of said casing, end brackets each comprising an end closureplate for said casing, and a bottom flange on each end'plate for supporting said bottom plate.

2*. A head casing for Venetian blinds, comprising a removable head rail of L-shaped crosssection constituting bottom and back plates respectively of said casing, end brackets each comprising an end closure plate for said casing, a bottom flange on each end plate for supporting said bottom plate and relatively spaced flange portions on each end plate for holding said back plate therebetween.

3. A head casing for Venetian blinds, comprising a removable head rail of L-shaped crosssection constituting bottom and back plates respectively of said casing, end brackets each comprising an end closure plate for said casing, a bottom flange on each end plate for supporting said bottom plate, relatively spaced flange portions on each end plate for holding said back plate therebetween, and a front flange on and extending perpendicular to said bottom plate.

4. A head casing for Venetian blinds, comprising a removable head rail of L-shaped crosssection constituting bottom and back plates respectively of said casing, end brackets each comprising an end closure plate for said casing, a bottom flange on each end plate for supporting said bottom plate, relatively spaced flange portions on each end plate for holding said back plate therebetween, a front flange on and explate in the oppoiste direction, said perimetrical flanges being cut away on the front portions tending perpendicular to said, bottom plate, and a top flange on and extending perpendicular to said back plate.

5. A head casing for Venetian blinds, comprising a removable head rail of L-shaped cross- -section constituting bottom and back plates respectively of said casing, end brackets each comprising an end closure plate for said casing, a perimetrical flange oneach end enclosure plate including a bottom flange portion for supporting said bottom plate, a back flange portion for limiting movement of said back plate in one direction, and a lip for limiting movement of said back plate in the opposite direction.

v 6. A head casing for Venetian blinds, comprising a removable head rail of L-shaped crosssection constituting bottom and back plates respectively of said. casing, end brackets each comprising an end closure plate for said casing, a perimetrical flange on each end enclosure plate including a bottom flange portion for supporting said bottom plate, aback flange portion for limiting movement of said back plate in one direction, a lip for limiting movement of said back plate in the opposite direction, and a front plate provided with a hook entered in a slot in the perimetrical flange of each end bracket for pivotally and removably supporting said front plate.

'7. A head casing for Venetian blinds, compris ing a removable head rail of L-shap'ed crosssection constituting bottom and back plates respectively of said casing, end brackets each comprising an end closure plate for said casing, a perimetrical flange on each end enclosure plate including a bottom flange portion for supporting said bottom plate, a back flange portion for limiting' movement of said back plate in one direction, a lip for limiting movement, of said back plate in the opposite direction, a front plate provided with a hook entered in a slot in the perimetrical flange on each end bracket for pivotally and removably supporting said front plate, a top plate having a front flange entered in said end bracket slots, and a back flange entered in a relatively spaced slot in the perimetrical flange of each end bracket for movably maintaining said top plate in position.

8. A head casing for Venetian blinds, comprising a removable head rail of L-shaped cross-sec-- thereof adjacent said bottom flange portions to aflord ingress and egress of said headrail to and from the interiors of said end brackets.

9. Ahead casing for Venetian blinds, comprising a pair of end brackets provided with perimetrical flanges respectively, and a front plate provided with a stiffening flange of substantially s-shaped cross-section along its upper edge and engageable in slots formed in said end bracket flanges, I

10. A head casing for Venetian blinds, comprising a pair of end brackets provided with perimetrical ,flanges respectively, and a front plate provided with a stiffening flange of substantially s-shaped cross-section along its upper edge and' engageable in slots formed in said end bracket flanges with the center of gravity of the front plate offset laterally to the point of engagement of said S-shaped flange with one edge of each slot to cause the front plate to lie normally in contact with said end bracket flanges solely under the influence of gravitation.

11. A head casing for Venetian blinds, comprising a pair of end brackets provided with perimetrical flanges respectively, and a front plate provided with a stiffening flange of substantially s-shaped cross section along its upper edge with one turn of said S-shaped flange engageable with one edge of the slots in said bracket flanges to function as a pivot'for said front plate and the second turn of said S-shaped flange engageable with the second edge of said slots to prevent displacement of said flange from said slots under vertical planar movement of said front plate;

12. A head casing for Venetian blinds comprising a pair of end brackets provided with perimetrical flanges respectively, a removable back plate arrangeable in a vertical plane therein with its lower edge resting on lower horizontal portions of said flange against vertical back portions of said flanges, and relatively short vertical lips depending from upper horizontal portions of said flanges in front of said back plate to confine the upper edge of said back plate between said lips and said back portions of said flanges.

13. A head rail, for Venetian blinds, of L- shaped cross-section forming a horizontal bottom plate and a vertical back plate.

14. A head rail, for Venetian blinds, of L- shaped cross-section forming a horizontal bottom plate and a vertical back plate joined integrally along intersecting edges of the two, and a perpendicular flange along the opposite parallel edge of at least one of said plates.

WALTER J. S'I'UBER. 

